November 2017 State and Local News Briefs

Published
October 30th, 2017

Minnesotans Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Indigenous Peoples’ Day has been celebrated
on the Columbus Day federal holiday in Minneapolis since 2014 and St. Paul since 2015. On Oct. 10, 2016, Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed Indigenous Peoples’ Day statewide for the first time. This year, festivities in the Twin Cities included a morning ceremony at Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun), a parade from the American Indian Magnet Pre-K in St. Paul to Mounds Park, and another parade across the river beginning at Cedar Field Park near Little Earth. The Minneapolis American Indian Center hosted a community feast and festival in the afternoon followed by a dance and rally from 4 to 7 p.m. including speakers from Stop Line 3 and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women campaigns. Source: citypages.com.

Lake Superior Island Returned to Chippewa: Susie Island off the northeast tip of Minnesota in Lake Superior is back in tribal hands after a gift from the Nature Conservancy to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The Nature Conservancy acquired the island from various landowners. Peggy Ladner, director of the Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, said, “It was at risk... There were some plans to either develop the site or use it for commercial boat excursions. We wanted to protect it in its entirety.” Source: startribune.com.

Gashkibidaaganag Are Subject of New Book: Marcia Anderson, who has been researching Ojibwe bandolier bags for more than 30 years, has published abookonthetopic:ABagWorthaPony—TheArtof the Ojibwe Bandolier Bag. A review published in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press cites three Mille Lacs artists — Maude Kegg, Batiste Sam and Cheryl Benjamin Minnema. Anderson was the Minnesota Historical Society’s liaison to its Indian Advisory Committee before her retirement in 2011. Source: twincities.com.

County Board Schooled About Mille Lacs Fishery: Representatives of the Minnesota DNR attended the Mille Lacs County Board meeting Oct. 3 to inform commissioners about the status of walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake. Fisheries Chief Don Pereira and Regional Supervisor Brad Parsons said data clearly show a decline in the species — despite the skepticism about the data from members of the resort and angling communities around the lake. Source: messagemedia.co/millelacs.

‘Ganawenjiige Onigam’: Symbol of Resilience in Duluth: A new mural in downtown Duluth is said to be the first piece of public art in the city by and for Native Americans. The colorful painting is considered a symbol of the resilience of Native American women in the face of issues like violence, sex trafficking and environmental racism. The mural, a collaboration between the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) and Honor the Earth, was painted by Mayan artist Votan Ik with assistance from Derek Brown of the Dine or Navajo tribe. ‘Ganawenjiige Onigam’ is Ojibwemowin for “Caring for Duluth.” Source: Rewire.news.

White Earth Chair Seeks Censure: Chairman Terry Tibbetts of the White Earth Band brought forward a motion for the Tribal Executive Committee (TEC) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe to censure Secretary- Treasurer Tara Mason. Tibbetts charged that Mason undermined and overruled the Tribal Executive Committee’s constitutional convention process; took action to pursue the construction of the Star Lake Casino; took actions related to the construction of the Bagley Casino; engaged in abuse and interference with tribal courts; and rescinded separation of power clauses related to courts, allegedly giving her authority over court decisions. The TEC will conduct a hearing at White Earth to consider the motion. Source: dl-online.com.